Closure for pressurized fuel tanks and the like



May 20, 1952 T. F. DONOVAN CLOSURE FOR PRESSURIZED FUEL TANKS AND THE LIKE Filed D60. 3, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l 3/ &

INVENTOR.

y 1952 T. F. DONOVAN 2,597,576

CLOSURE FOR PRESSURIZED FUEL TANKS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 3, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 29 s 6 7/ I s j; INVENTOR.

fmwm ff 0fl/va1/A/v BY May 20, 1952 T. F. DONOVAN 2,597,576

CLOSURE FOR PRESSURIZED FUEL TANKS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 5, 1948 's Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

finer/ YE flan 0104A Mafia Patented May 29, 1952 2,597,576 7 CLOSURE FOR PRESSURIZED FUEL TANKS AND THE LIKE Timothy F. Donovan, Teaneck, N. J., assignor to Air Associates, Incorporated, Teterboro, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 2, 1948, Serial No. 63,226

2 Claims. (Cl. 220-44) This invention relates to a closure for pressurized fuel tanks and the like adapted for discharging the fuel by. the pressure of the air within the tank.

The invention comprehends a closure which effectively seals the tank against escape of the fuel and the air pressure therein and which automatically vents the tank during the preliminary movement from secured to released condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure having a pivoted hand lever adapted to be moved to past dead center position for locking the closure in closed and sealed condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure of the indicated character in which movement of the hand lever to released position automatically opens a vent passageway for exhausting the air pressure in the tank.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a closure having a reciprocatory plunger provided with leaf springs at its inner end and adapted to be rotated with the closure to impinge the ends of the springs against an annular rim for securing the closure in closed relation with the tank and which plunger is operatively connected with the hand lever for tensioning the leaf springs against the rim by the movement thereof to past dead center position to thereby seal the vent passageway through the plunger and tension the closure against the air pressure Within the tank.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, reference is now made to the following specification and accompanying drawings in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a closure for a fuel tank and the like constructed in accordance with the invention and showing the closure in position on a tank.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on line 2-2 of Fig. l with the tank partly broken away.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the closure with the frame omitted and the closure shown in released position.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately on line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View taken approximatelyon line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

/ Fig. 6 is an underside view of the annular skirt surrounding the closure opening.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view thereof taken approximately on line "l of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings by 'charactersof reference, the cover includes an annular metallic frame l0 providing a closure opening II and having an outwardly extending peripheral flange l2 secured by circumferentially spaced bolts 13 or other fastening means to the'top of a tank M with the lower portion of the frame projecting into the tank. The frame 10 isalso formed with an annular flange I5 which extends inwardly from the inner face thereof substantially medial between the flange l l and the inner annularedge of the frame. Secured to the flange-I5 by circumferentially spaced rivets I6 is an annular skirt I1, having inwardly and downwardly directed arcuate rim sections" I8 and |9 which are diametrically disposed and spaced-apart by oppositely disposed recessed or cut away portions 20 and 2|. Each of said rim sections is contoured to provide a cam edge consisting of an arcuate portion 22 of relatively shallow depthlocated intermediate an arcuate portion 24 of greater depth located at one end of therim and a rela tively deep arcuate portion -25 located at the opposite end ofv the run The arcuate portion 24 of the rim section I8 is located adjacent the recessed or cut away portion 20 while the relatively deep arcuate portion 25 thereof is located adjacent the recessed or cut away portion 2 i. The arcuate portion 24 of the rim section I9 is located adjacent the recessed or cut away portion 2| while the relatively deep arcuate portion 25 thereof is located adjacent the recessed or cut away portion 20.

The cover also includesa closure member 26 which is of annular formation in horizontal section adapted to fit within the closure opening I I in the annular frame In and which is formed with a peripheral flange 26 extending outwardly from the upper edge thereof adapted to seat upon the upper edge of the frame. The closure 26 is also formed with a depending central extension 21 which projects downwardly through the frame I!) and through the skirt I l and is providedwith a cylindrical opening 28 extending therethrough and opening at its upper end into a rectangular recess 29 in the top of the closure. A cylindrical plunger 30 is mounted for reciprocatory movement in the cylindrical opening 28 and is formed with a slotted upper end 3| in which thelower end of a curved link 32 is pivotedon a pivot pin 33. The upper end of the link 32 projects into a slot 34 in the intermediate angulated arm is of a:handlever 36 andispivoted thereto on a pivt pin 3'! extending through said angulated arm 35 and through aligned outwardly located angulated arms 38 and 39. The said angulated arms project into the rectangular recess 29 and are pivoted at their lower ends to the closure 26 by a pivot pin 40 extending transversely therethrough with the opposite ends of the pivot pin anchored in openings 4| in thebody of the closure 25. The pivot pin 40 is located in vertical alignment with the pivot pin 33 which pivotally connects the lower end of the link 32 to .the plunger 33 while the pivot pin 31 pivotally connecting the upper end of the link with the hand lever 36 is located at one side of the pivoted .center through the pivot pin 40 whereby the pivotal connection of the link 32 with the hand lever 36 is moved to secured or past dead center position with reference to the pivotal connection of the hand lever with the closure when the hand lever is moved downwardly to dispose the hand gripping end 42 thereof in the transverse recess 43 in the 010- sure 26 with the upper face of the lever arranged flush with the top of the closure as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Afhxed to the plunger 30 are upper and lower leaf springs 44 and 45 which are of normally bowed formation and are centrally apertured to snugly fit on the plunger 30. The said leaf springs have downturned opposite longitudinal side edges 46 adjacent the central apertures therein and are secured on the plunger 30 by a snap ring 41 and a tubular support 4 8. The snap ring 41 is arranged in an annular recess 49 in the periphery of the plunger to dispose the same against the upper face of the upper leaf spring 44 while the tubular support 48 is afiixed to the shaft by a cross pin 59 and is positioned against the under side of the lower leaf spring 45. The tubular support 48 is formed with down turned opposite longitudinal side edges which are nested with the down turned side edges 46 of the springs.

The upper leaf spring 44 is of a length and width to pass through the oppositely disposed recessed or cut away portions and 21 in the skirt 11 so that when the closure is in released position it may be removed from the flange It] for filling the tank. When the closure is to be secured in closed position, the same is arranged with the leaf springs disposed in alignment with S the recessed or cut away portions 20 and 21 so that the springs pass therethrough when the closure is disposed on the flange. The closure is then rotated to cam the ends of the upper leaf spring against the edges of the rim sections l8 and I9 so as to dispose the said spring against the arcuate portions 22 thereof which arcuate portions being ind nted above the arcuate portions 24 d of he rim sections retain the closure in position in the closure opening in the frame. The hand lever 36 is then swung to secured or past dead center position as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings to thereby raise the plunger so as to increase the tension of the leaf springs against the rim sections to approximately 600 lbs. This pressure is suflicient to withstand the pressure within the tank against the under side of the closure.

In order to vent the tank 44 the plunger 38 is provided with a central bore 52 which opens to the atmosphere through the slotted upper end 3| thereof and communicating with said bore is a tr n ers W 53 open n through the iph al a l of the plun er so that when the handl ver is swu gto released positioneto there by dispose the plunger in its downward position, the aperture 53 is disposed below the depending central extension 21 of the closure so that the air pressure within the tank will pass through the aperture 53 and thence be discharged from the closure through the bore 52. When the hand lever is swung to secured position the plunger 30 is thereby moved upwardly to dispose the aperture 53 in closed relation within the cylindrical ,opening 28 in the closure to thereby prevent es- .capeof the .air pressure through the vent opening.

The closure 26 is formed with an annular recess 54 in the wall of the cylindrical opening 28 adjacent the lower .end thereof in which is arranged a packing ring 55 adapted to engage the plunger 30 for preventing leakage of the air pressure between the plunger and the wall of the cylindrical opening 28. The closure 26 is also formed with a peripheral recess 56 for receiving an L-shaped packing ring 51 which is retained in position therein by an annular ring 58 secured against the under side of the closure by circumferentially spaced studs 59. A corrugated spring ring '60 arranged between the packing ring '51 and the inner wall of the peripheral recess 56 resilient-1y expands the packing ring against the wall of the closure opening H to thereby prevent escape of the air pressure from between the closure and the wall of the closure opening.

The curved link 32 is formed with a recess 6| in the concave edge thereof for accommodating the pivot pin when the hand lever is swung to past dead center position as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Constructed in this manner, a closure for a pressurized tank is provided which effectively seals the tank against escape of the pressure therein and which vents the tank by movement of the hand lever to released position. When the pressure has been relieved, the closure may then be rotated to dispose the tensioning springs in alignment with the recesses in the rim of the annular skirt for removing the closure. The tank is pressurized by forcing air therein through an orifice (not shown) and the air pressure within the tank pressurizes the fuel for discharging the same through a discharge outlet or valve.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tank and closure therefor, a tank hav ing a frame affixed thereto provided with a circular wall defining an opening, a closure adapted to seat on said frame and having an inwardly directed annular portion rotatably engaging in the said opening and fitting said circular wall to provide a seal therebetween, rim sections disposed in spaced relation and extending inwardly from said circular wall, a plunger mounted for reciprocatory movement in a central bore in said closure, a hand lever having a downwardly directed inner end portion, said hand lever being pivotally connected to said closure on an axis extending through said inner end portion and located at right angles to the axis of the plunger, a link pivotally connected to said plunger at its inner end and pivotally connected at its outer end to said hand lever between the free end thereof and said downwardly directed inner end portion to dispose said last mentioned pivotal connection at one side of the axis through the plunger for lowering the plunger with the movement of the hand lever to upwardly extending relation and for raising the plunger with the movement of the hand lever to aligned relation with the closure, and a cross member secured to the inner end of the plunger and adapted to pass through the spaces between said rim sections when the hand lever is in upwardly extending relation and to be rotated with the closure to engage against the under side of said rim sections for attaching the closure to the frame and to be ti htened against the said rim sections by the movement of the hand lever to said aligned relation.

2. In a tank and closure therefor, a tank having a frame affixed thereto provided with a circular wall defining an opening, a closure adapted to seat on said frame and having an inwardly directed annular portion rotatably engaging in the said opening and fitting said circular wall to provide a seal therebetween, rim sections disposed in spaced relation and extending inwardly from said circular wall, a plunger mounted for sliding movement in a central bore in said closure, a hand lever pivotally connected at one end to said closure on an axis located above said plunger and extending transversely of the axis of the plunger, means connected to said plunger and to said hand lever at one side of said pivotal connection of the hand lever with the closure providing a firm connection for rotating the plunger with the rotation of the closure and for lowering the plunger with the swinging movement of the hand lever to upwardly projecting relation and for raising the plunger with the movement of the hand lever to aligned relation With the closure, a cross member secured to the inner end of the plunger and adapted to pass through the spaces between said rim sections when the hand lever is in upwardly extending relation and to be rotated with the closure to engage against the underside of said rim sections for attaching the closure to the frame and to be tightened against said rim sections by the movement of the hand lever to said aligned relation, and said plunger having an aperture opening to the atmosphere and opening into the tank for venting the tank when the plunger is lowered, and said plunger being moved to dispose said aperture in closed relation Within the bore in the closure when the hand lever is moved to raise the plunger.

TIMOTHY F. DONOVAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,204,055 Nash Nov. 7, 1916 1,223,156 DuBois Apr. 17, 1917 1,405,577 Garrett Feb. 7, 1922 1,784,198 Persson Dec. 9, 1930 1,988,404 Varese Jan. 15, 1935 2,509,075 Richeson et al May 23, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 491,332 France Jan. 30, 1919 

